Volkswagen
/ˈfɔlksˌvaːɡən/
Volkswagen is the German term for the car manufacturer or a car manufactured by Volkswagen.
The term refers to the specific automotive company or the vehicles they produce. In common conversation, many Germans refer to the brand using the abbreviation VW.
Meaning: a car manufacturer or a car manufactured by Volkswagen (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Volkswagen is the full name, VW is a very common abbreviation used to refer to the brand.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a proper noun referring to the company, Volkswagen is used without an article in most contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfɔlksˌvaːɡən/
Did you know?
- Because Volk can also mean 'nation' or 'ethnic group' in certain political contexts, the word Volkswagen has historically carried much heavier sociological weight than the simple 'people's car' meaning in English.
- The word Volk in Volkswagen is a cognate of the English word 'folk'. Both words originally referred to the common people or a tribe.
- In German, the middle '-s-' in Volkswagen is a connecting element known as a 'Fugen-s', which is used to join two nouns together.
Examples in context
- Volkswagen drohen Strafen von bis zu 18 Milliarden Dollar.Volkswagen could face up to $18 billions in fines.This sentence shows the use of Volkswagen regarding potential fines.Tatoeba #4538629 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4537503 by Hybrid
- Sie verkaufte ihren Volkswagen und erstand dafür einen Mercedes.She sold her Volkswagen and bought a Mercedes.This sentence shows the use of Volkswagen when discussing the sale of a car.Tatoeba #2650246 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2650218 by Hybrid
- Ein Volkswagengeschäftsführer wurde aufgrund seiner Verwicklung in den Abgasskandal zu einer siebenjährigen Gefängnisstrafe verurteilt.A Volkswagen executive received a seven-year prison for his role in the Dieselgate scandal.This sentence shows the use of Volkswagen in the context of a company executive.Tatoeba #8014408 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6542613 by Hybrid
- Jens fährt einen alten VW.Jens drives an old VW.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are discussing their car preferences at a cafe.
- JuliaIst dein neuer Wagen ein Volkswagen?Is your new car a Volkswagen?
- FelixJa, ich liebe meinen neuen Volkswagen.Yes, I love my new Volkswagen.
- JuliaEr sieht sehr praktisch aus.It looks very practical.
- FelixDas stimmt, er fährt sich super.That's true, it drives great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Volkswagen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Volkswagen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
